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Practical PDF Sewing Patterns

in Beginners· Blogs by Olivia· Sewing

My top 5 sewing tools

Sewing can be daunting to many, with so many scary and funny looking tools to choose from we can understand how easy it is to get overwhelmed. Here at Flosstyle, we aim to help make sewing as simple as possible, hence why we have compiled a list of our top five sewing tools. These tools are what we consider essential for sewing and make a great list of basics to accumulate as a sewing beginner.

It is important to understand your tools and the impacts they have on your sewing. A good set of sewing tools is what sets apart a basic piece of sewing from an advanced one. It is important to remember that the quality of your sewing isn’t based on the amount of tools that you have. It is far more important to have a few really good tools that will aid you in preparing the perfect sewing piece.

Sewing scissors

One of the most important tools in sewing is the scissors you use. Scissors are used for practically everything in sewing. Having a sharp and good quality pair of scissors makes the sewing process much easier, giving you much more control over your work. The most important thing to consider when purchasing a pair of scissors for your sewing is that the scissors are fabric scissors. Any other scissors could potentially ruin your fabrics and work. If you are hoping for one pair of scissors to use universally, a medium or small sized sharp pair is your best bet. These will allow you efficiency whilst still retaining control over your scissor work.

How do I know which sewing scissors are the right ones?

However, if you wanted to cover all basis, different sized scissors are important for different reasons. Large cutting scissors are essential for cutting large pieces of fabric. They cut time and make the process much easier. However, if you’re hoping to create more detailed works, then it is essential that you invest in a good small and sharp pair of scissors. These sewing scissors will allow you to retain control over your work and create beautifully detailed sewing masterpieces.

A sharp seam ripper

No matter how experienced you may be, every sewer makes mistakes. This is why a good, sharp seam ripper is an essential tool in your sewing kit. Seam rippers essentially rid your works of the wrongs you may make, allowing you to quickly fix your work in the case of an accident. The most important feature of a seam ripper is that it remains sharp. Blunt seam rippers simply won’t do as they run the risk of damaging the rest of your sewing project by pulling and ripping the surrounding fabrics. If you already have a seam ripper, make sure it is sharp and as soon as it becomes blunt, replace it! The easiest way to use a seam ripper is to hold the fabric with one hand and, with the other, go up under the stitches and rip them out. This will allow for control over both fabric and seams, ripping seams out in the easiest way possible.

Handy measuring tools

Measuring tools are a staple in sewing, they are used for practically everything. It would be impossible to find a pattern that does not require you to measure out materials prior to use. Since different patterns call for different measurements it is useful to use measurement tools that include both metric and imperial units. Measuring tape is one of the most commonly used measuring tools. Not only does your measuring tape have to be versatile, but it also must be flexible. Sometimes, sewing preparation can be much more complex than measuring out the area of flat pieces of fabric. This is why we recommend you buy measuring tape that is flexible, so it can be wrapped around odd surfaces. Measuring tape isn’t the only measuring tool that you can use. A ruler is also incredibly helpful. If a ruler isn’t as flexible as you would like, a ruler and a piece of wool/string work great together. To measure out lengths, all you have to do is measure it out on your piece of wool/string and measure this segment of string on the ruler. Another measuring tool which sewers may use is a sewing gauge. This tool makes measuring much easier with a slider, meaning you can set the gauge at the length you require, instead of having to locate it on individual lines. These are also really helpful for measuring lengths across curved surfaces or corners. The combination of the three of these items or just one of them allows for simple and accurate measurement, a key aspect of a good piece of sewing.

The perfect pins

There are many different types of pins and it can be easy to get confused about which ones are important in sewing. Pins allow for your pattern to be held in place while you sew and also secure smaller bits into your piece. Straight pins are the most common type of pins, these are pins made of a straight piece of wire with a pointed end. There are different types which differ with thickness, length and the material the heads and tips are made of. The most common type of straight pin is a ballpoint pin. These are pins which have rounded points, this means that they are great at holding together fabrics which are delicate such as knits. There are many different ballpoint pins depending on their sizes, however, these are commonly used by sewers across the board. Another type of pin is the dressmaker’s pin. These pins are classic and can be used for any type of fabric. They avoid fabric damage due to their small pinhead. The third most common pin is a glass head pin. These pins are fine which means that they can be used on delicate fabrics such as silk. They are also really good to iron over as glass tips will not melt when in high heat. Choosing pins may seem daunting but the three main types are listed out for you in this article. The most important thing is that you understand what materials each is used for and why. Through obtaining the perfect pins, you will be able to hold together a wide variety of materials whilst keeping your sewing piece intact.

Wash Away Tape

Wash Away Tape is a tape which holds on to fabrics and, basically, forces them to stay in place. It can also be applied to the fabric to avoid them from stretching out as well as reinforcing seams. This is super helpful when sewing things like zippers, necklines, armholes and pockets. Using wash away tape is a great, easy alternative to having to ‘stay stitch’ fabric. Instead of this, all you have to do is lay down a piece of tape in its desired place, and hold the fabric together. The best part about washj away tape is that it is completely dissolvable. This will mean that you do not need to go back and take it out after it has been used.

We hope that this article has made the crazy world of sewing seem much more simple to you. Believe it or not, sewing isn’t as complicated and costly as it is made out to be, and you can get started with these 5 essential tools to sewing, some which you may already have in your home. As time goes on, you can start to build your collection of tools, but, for the main part, these tools, along with a sewing machine and a passion for patterns, is all you need to start your sewing journey.

Make sure to check out some of our other blogs if you want to learn more from Flosstyle about sewing.

Happy Sewing!

Olivia B

Filed Under: Beginners, Blogs by Olivia, Sewing

in Blogs by Jess· Christmas Sewing· Sneak Peek Stocking

Make your own Christmas stocking

I’m not sure if you agree or not, but this year has been the longest year ever, but also the shortest year ever, and just like that, Christmas is on our doorsteps! Christmas is my favourite time of year, and I love decorating my apartment and turning it into my own little Christmas wonderland.  

Christmas stockings are a great decoration for the home, and are also super practical for storing gifts. Christmas stockings themselves can also make great gifts to loved ones. Each year I like to think about handmade gifts that I can buy for my team members at work, as well as my friends and family. Our Sneak Peek Stocking is perfect decor for your home, and a perfect Christmas gift to give. 

The Sneak Peek Stocking pattern is suitable for beginners and as the name suggests, has a super cute sneak peek feature on the front of the stocking. The sneak peek feature makes it perfect for stuffing with all sorts of Christmas goodies like candy canes, chocolates, soaps, candles and of course, toys. Our PDF patterns are so easy to follow, and come with so many hints and tips for creation. If you haven’t used PDF patterns before, we have a number of great blog posts to help get you started. If you’ve never used PDF patterns before, we’ve provided all the benefits that PDF patterns have over traditional patterns in this post. If you’re familiar with PDF patterns but not super confident using them, we have developed a step-by-step guide just for you.   

You aren’t limited to using Christmas themed fabric or even Christmas colours when sewing these stockings. If your little one loves Frozen (let’s be real, they all love Frozen) Spotlight Australia have a variety of your children’s favourite characters on wonderful fabric designs. A themed and personalised stocking could make your little ones Christmas that much more magical. 

Here at Flosstyle we love creating and receiving handmade gifts. When you create something yourself, you know exactly what it’s made from. This means you can ensure it’s safe for your little one’s allergies and sensitive skin. Handmade gifts are unique and personal. Even if you make five different Sneak Peek Stockings, they will all look totally different and unique when using different fabrics. Handmade presents can be easily be personalised. Now I know this sounds a bit cringey, but handmade gifts are truly made with love. When you put your time, thoughts and energy into a gift for someone, the end product shows. 

It isn’t all about the recipient: making the gift is a fun and creative activity for you too. Creativity has all sorts of benefits, but sewing in particular has been proven to improve your overall physical and mental well-being. 

Handmade gifts are great for the people in your life that have it all. They’re also good for picky people, because you can ensure it’s customised to their liking and preferences. Another bonus, handmade gifts can help you use up your leftover fabric stash. Depending on the materials you use, handmade gifts can sometimes save you money but this isn’t always the case. 

If you’re stuck for ideas for Christmas presents, or wanted to have your own perfectly customised stockings hanging up in your home, give our Sneak Peek Stocking a go for Christmas this year! 

Happy sewing!

Jess 

Have a picture you want to share or want to be inspired? Make sure to follow our instagram page

Don’t forget to join the facebook group for advice from experienced sewers

Pin our gorgeous designs on Pinterest

Filed Under: Blogs by Jess, Christmas Sewing, Sneak Peek Stocking

in Alice's Tea Set· Babys First Toys· Blogs by Jess· Flosstyle Patterns· Play Away

Making Children’s Toys for Christmas Gifts

Are you stuck on Christmas gift ideas for your little ones? Or maybe your friends’ little ones? If you like giving unique gifts that are made with extra love and care, be sure to check out our shop and see the variety of PDF patterns that we have in store. We don’t just sell patterns for making clothes and accessories, we sell patterns to make your own TOYS. That’s right… this Christmas you can be one of Santa’s elves and make your own Christmas toys!

Handmade gifts are super thoughtful, and not easily forgotten by the recipient. This year for Christmas, we challenge you to make toys for the children in your life. One of the major benefits in making your own toys, is that you know EXACTLY what they are made from: this is particularly important for the young ones with allergies and sensitive skin.  

The Babies First Toy Set pattern comes with six different patterns and is suitable for adventurous beginners. With this set, you can create a balloon ball, a mini ball, and 4 different types of soft animals. Balloon balls are great for indoor play with your little one. You can think of a balloon ball like a cover for a regular party balloon that you can play with safely indoors. When the balloon deflates it will be stored safely inside the ball, away from your little ones hands and mouths for ultimate safety. The mini ball and soft animals are sized with your little one in mind, and are super cute. The patter contains a seahorse, dinosaur, elephant and giraffe for you to create. We recommend using different textured fabrics to make play time even more fun with your children. 

The next set of toy patterns we have in our shop is suited to advanced sewers, it’s the Alice’s Tea Set pattern. This set comes with three different patterns for a teapot, a teacup and a saucer: everything you need for a tea party. This pattern is my absolute favourite toy pattern: it’s so adorable!    

This next item is one that the parents will love: the Play Away pattern. The Play Away is an adorable little toy storage bag that folds out into a play mat that your little one can take with them when you go out to appointments and need to keep them occupied. Suitable for beginner sewers and designed for little laps and little toys. 

We hope this post has inspired you to get creative and consider making your own toys this year like one of Santa’s elves. You could even get your children involved to help you make these items as a way to spend quality time together as a family. 

If you make any of the above toy designs, please tag us in a photo of them so we can share your creation with the rest of the Flosstyle Family! 

Happy sewing!

Jess 

Have a picture you want to share or want to be inspired? Make sure to follow our instagram page

Don’t forget to join the facebook group for advice from experienced sewers

Pin our gorgeous designs on Pinterest

Filed Under: Alice's Tea Set, Babys First Toys, Blogs by Jess, Flosstyle Patterns, Play Away

in Artiste· Blogs by Jess· Boutique and Hybrid Bibs· Flosstyle Patterns· Star Shorts· Ventura Lite· Zoo

Making Christmas clothing for your children

Making clothes for your children is great because you can get them involved in the process. Your little ones can choose the fabric they want and share any other design ideas that they have with you. Have you ever had the perfect article of clothing for your little one in mind but not been able to find it in store? Why not use our PDF patterns to make it yourself. You can also use sewing your own children’s clothing as an opportunity to teach your children to learn how to sew too. I remember when I was little my mum would make all my clothes for me and get me involved in the process. When I was old enough to use a sewing machine, we went through the whole process of sewing a dress together., including picking out the pattern and choosing the fabric and even the zipper! It’s one of the best memories I have with my mum and it taught me a useful creative life skill. Creative activities are a great way for your family to spend quality time together.

Making clothes for your children won’t just make them happy, it will make you happy too! Sewing has been proven to improve your mood, mental health and overall wellbeing. Our shop has a variety of PDF patterns to choose from to get you started creating your own children’s clothing. If you’re not familiar with PDF patterns, read our blog post outlining all the benefits of PDF patterns over traditional sewing patterns. 

Handmade articles of clothing are unique and one of a kind. Even if you use the same dress pattern multiple times, each item will be different and unique. Handmade clothing items aren’t just for your children, but they can be made for gifts for the other children in your life, like your nieces, nephews, and children of friends. 

Below I’ve curated my top six flosstyle PDF patterns to download for Christmas clothing creations: whether they be for yourself or for gifts! If you haven’t used PDF patterns before, give our how-to guide a read and you’ll be an expert in no time.

Bibs 

Boutique Bib and Hybrid Bib pattern duo is a perfect and simple gift idea for newborns up to toddlers. Both bibs are adjustable to grow as the child grows. This pattern is suitable for beginners and is quick and easy to whip up. To make the bib extra special, we have a free how-to guide for inverted applique without using any glue or leaving the design with zigzag edges: just neat lines. 

Dresses

Why not make a dress for the little cuties in your life? The Artiste Dresses Set pattern set comes with three interchangeable patterns for advanced beginners. 

Skirts

Six skirt patterns for six dollars – how good is that? The Milkshake Skirts pattern set is suitable for beginners and will you keep you busy creating all sorts of adorable skirts for the little ones in your life. 

Tees 

There is nothing better than a plain tee. The Ventura Lite pattern is perfect for your little ones t -shirt needs. 

Shorts 

The Star Shorts pattern set contains five different shorts patterns for boys and girls. Shorts are great for everyday wear and for playtime at the park and in the backyard. 

And everything else

If you can’t decide on the above, then the Zoo Collection pattern set is for you. The Zoo pattern is basically a magical pattern that will enable you to make rompers, tee’s dresses and even swimmers! The patterns contained in the Zoo collection range in ability levels from beginner to intermediate. 

We hope this post has inspired you to get creative this festive season. If you use any of the above patterns to create Christmas goodies, please be sure to tag us in a picture of them and we will repost it on our page! 

Happy sewing!

Jess 

Have a picture you want to share or want to be inspired? Make sure to follow our instagram page

Don’t forget to join the facebook group for advice from experienced sewers

Pin our gorgeous designs on Pinterest

Filed Under: Artiste, Blogs by Jess, Boutique and Hybrid Bibs, Flosstyle Patterns, Star Shorts, Ventura Lite, Zoo

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